AU2010200576B2

AU2010200576B2 - Support Structure for Solar Collector

Info

Publication number: AU2010200576B2
Application number: AU2010200576A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Javier del Pico Aznar; Sergio Aguilar Cardiel; Carlos Tierra Galan; Javier Collado Hernandez
Original assignee: MINERA CATALANO SA
Current assignee: Minera Catalano Aragonesa SA
Priority date: 2009-02-24
Filing date: 2010-02-17
Publication date: 2015-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2030-02-17
Also published as: EP2221555A1; AU2010200576A8; AU2010200576B8; MX2010001997A; US8438790B2; AU2010200576A1; EP2221555B1; MA31739B1; US20100213336A1; ES2422591T3

Abstract

Support structure for solar collector, of the type used in cylindrical parabolic collectors to support the cylindrical parabolic reflector and the absorbing tube, characterized in that it comprises a main bearing structure on which a plurality of support arms for the parabolic mirrors are supported, said main bearing structure being formed by two rectangular lattice grids, a top one and another bottom one, in a parallel and overlaying arrangement, linked together by four laterally-disposed mini-lattices, in twos at each end, and by a ) plurality of external lateral ties bars and internal diagonal tie bars. The present invention provides the main advantages of a reduction in the number of grids needed in the construction of the bearing structure, with a notable reduction in weight and volume for transport whilst maintaining the necessary rigidity of the assembly, with the consequent economic saving. C4a

Description

P100/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Name of Applicant: Sociedad An6nima Minera Catalano - Aragonesa Actual Inventors Javier Del Pico Aznar Carlos Tierra Galen Sergio Aguilar Cardiel Javier Collado Hernandez Address for service is: WRAYS Ground Floor, 56 Ord Street West Perth WA 6005 Attorney code: WR Invention Title: Support Structure for Solar Collector The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 2 SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR SOLAR COLLECTOR Field of the Invention The present description relates, as its title indicates, to a support structure for solar collectors of the type used in cylindrical parabolic collectors to 5 support the cylindrical parabolic reflector and the absorbing tube, characterized in that it comprises a main bearing structure on which a plurality of support arms for the parabolic mirrors is supported, said main bearing structure being formed by two rectangular lattice grids, a top one and another bottom one, in a parallel and overlaying arrangement, linked together by four laterally-disposed 0 mini-lattices, in twos at each end, and by a plurality of external lateral ties bars and internal diagonal tie bars. Background Art Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be 5 understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Furthermore, throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "include" or variations such as "includes" or "including", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group O of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. At the moment there are widely used devices for concentrating solar radiation based on cylindrical parabolic collectors, in which the solar energy capture area is formed by high-reflectivity parabolic mirrors that re-direct the incident solar radiation and concentrate it on an absorbing tube located along its 25 focal line. Inside the absorbing tube a thermal fluid that is usually oil, flows and absorbs the solar energy in the form of thermal energy, heating up to a temperature of around 4000C. The thermal fluid at this temperature is pumped towards a heat exchanger which generates steam that drives a turbine that is responsible for generating electricity.

3 These cylindrical parabolic collectors require the reflective mirrors forming the energy capture area to have a great mechanical precision in their orientation towards the absorbing tube in order to achieve optimum heat transfer and to thus optimize the production of energy. 5 Furthermore it is essential for the structure that supports the parabolic mirrors and absorbing tube to have the necessary torsional and flexural stiffness to be able to maintain the precision of the focus of the energy capture surface on the absorbing tube, which is particularly important taking into account that solar collectors are usually accompanied by solar tracking 0 mechanisms, in order to achieve optimum production of energy. Several attempts have been made to achieve this combination of torsional and flexural stiffness of the support structure of solar collectors with the capacity to move, by means of different technological solutions. Devices such as those described in Patent WO 0102780 "Solar 5 collector system" or in European patent 03815132 "Solar energy collector system with an absorber support mounting" that house the mirrors in a kind of box, a solution that has little torsional stiffness, especially if it is associated with a moving tracker device. Other devices exist such as that disclosed in Patent US5058565 0 "Solar concentrator device and support structure thereof', which has a simple structure located above, with the problem that it casts shadows on the mirrors with the consequent reduction in energy performance, as well as the fact that the torsional stiffness obtained is not particularly good. Other solutions have been sought. For example, US Patents 25 5069540 "Parabolic solar collector body and method", US 2004/0118395 "Parabolic solar concentrator module" and US 2008/0087277 "Collector for solar thermal power station" claim solid or semi-solid single-piece support structures that have the drawback of their high cost, heavy weight and problems both with the transport between the production plant and the assembly site as well as the 30 complex nature of on-site mounting.

4 A solution that is very commonly used resides in a structure formed by a longitudinally-disposed cylinder emerging from which are support arms for the mirrors as is described, for example in WO Patent 20070340048 "Support arm, cylindrical parabolic solar collector support and procedures to manufacture 5 the arm", which, in spite of its good performance, presents both manufacturing and transport problems in the central cylindrical unit and problems with the strength of the arms that only have several laminar folded pieces to reinforce them. Another solution that has been used to try to improve the stiffness 0 of the structure is to employ lattice structures, for example, such as that described in Spanish Utility Model U 200801470 "Structure for solar tracker" , that presents a lattice structure both of the tower and the arms of a photovoltaic solar tracker. The lattice structure offers the advantage of combining a light weight with excellent torsional stiffness, but has the drawback that for large size 5 collectors there is the problem of transport, which means that it has to be mounted on site, making it much more expensive due to the many parts that the structure comprises that must be mounted on site with a high precision, requiring the use of moulds. To resolve this problem there are some solar collectors that use a 0 lattice support structure formed by four identical grids, in twos and pre mounted, each one being formed by a frame and a distribution of uprights and diagonal members within said frame, which have to be subsequently joined together on site but which present the drawbacks that the grids are difficult to transport, particularly in the case of large sizes, and many rivets or mechanical 25 couplings are needed, making mounting labour intensive, with the consequent high economic cost. Furthermore there is the added difficulty of managing the whole lattice volume that forms the support structure of the solar field, which must be galvanized in special tanks for such dimensions, complicating the logistics of constructing the associated solar field. 30 5 Disclosure of the Invention Embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, or to provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. 5 Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is o provided a support structure for a solar collector of a type used in cylindrical parabolic collectors to support a cylindrical parabolic reflector and an absorbing tube, comprising: a main bearing structure, the main bearing structure further comprising two identical rectangular lattice grids; a plurality of laterally arranged support arms adapted to support a plurality of parabolic mirrors, the support 5 arms being supported on the main bearing structure; wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are arranged as a top rectangular lattice grid and a bottom rectangular lattice grid, in a parallel and overlaying arrangement; wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are linked together by four laterally-disposed mini-lattices and by a plurality of external lateral tie bars and 0 internal diagonal tie bars; and wherein the main bearing structure has, at both ends, by two end plates that include a plurality of support points for legs anchored to a ground surface that give the solar collector the necessary rotation axis. Preferably, the two rectangular grids are formed by an external 25 frame in which is distributed a plurality of cross members with the appropriate angle to optimize the torsional strength of the grid. Preferably, both the grids and the external lateral tie bars and internal diagonal tie bars are made with "L" section metal profiles. Preferably, emerging perpendicularly from the top part of the main 30 bearing structure there is a plurality of supports for the absorbing tube, of an 6 appropriate length to position it in the focus of a parabola formed by the parabolic mirrors mounted on the support arms. Preferably, conventional mechanical means couple a plurality of longitudinal members and cross members of the rectangular grids, the 5 rectangular grids with the mini-lattices, the lateral tie bars or diagonal tie bars, the end plates, the supports for the absorbing tube, or the support arms. According to a second broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support structure for a solar collector of the type used in cylindrical parabolic collectors to support a cylindrical parabolic reflector and an absorbing 0 tube, comprising: a main bearing structure, the main bearing structure further comprising two identical rectangular lattice grids; a plurality of laterally arranged support arms adapted to support a plurality of parabolic mirrors, the support arms being supported on the main bearing structure; wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are arranged as a top rectangular lattice grid and a 5 bottom rectangular lattice grid, in a parallel and overlaying arrangement, wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are linked together by four laterally-disposed mini-lattices, in twos at each end, and by a plurality of external lateral tie bars and internal diagonal tie bars; wherein the support arms are formed by two perpendicular pieces, one horizontal piece and another 0 vertical piece, fitted with strips and with perforations to attach them to the main bearing structure, being linked together by a first slanting piece that goes from the lower part of the vertical piece, passing, approximately in its middle part, through the end of the horizontal piece, and in turn being supported by a second slanting piece that goes from approximately the coupling of the horizontal piece 25 and vertical piece up to nearly the top end of the first slanting piece; and wherein, between the two slanting pieces, starting from near to the end of the horizontal piece, is a third slanting reinforcement piece. According to a third broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support structure for a solar collector of the type used in cylindrical 30 parabolic collectors to support the cylindrical parabolic reflector and an absorbing tube, comprising: a main bearing structure, the main bearing structure further comprising two identical rectangular lattice grids; a plurality of 7 laterally arranged support arms adapted to support a plurality of parabolic mirrors, the support arms being supported on the main bearing structure; wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are arranged as a top rectangular lattice grid and a bottom rectangular lattice grid, in a parallel and 5 overlaying arrangement, wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are linked together by four laterally-disposed mini-lattices, in twos at each end, and by a plurality of external lateral tie bars and internal diagonal tie bars; wherein the support arms are formed by two perpendicular pieces, one horizontal piece and another vertical piece, fitted with strips and with perforations to attach them 0 to the main bearing structure, being linked together by a first slanting piece that goes from the lower part of the vertical piece, passing, approximately in its middle part, through the end of the horizontal piece, and in turn being supported by a second slanting piece that goes from approximately the coupling of the horizontal piece and vertical piece up to nearly the top end of the first slanting 5 piece; wherein, between the two slanting pieces, starting from near to the end of the horizontal piece, is a third slanting reinforcement piece; and wherein the component pieces of the support arms, except for the attachment strips, are made of rectangular section metal tube and are welded together. To seek to resolve the current problem of the ratio between the 0 required torsional stiffness and economic cost involved, a preferred embodiment of the support structure for solar collector that is the subject matter of the present invention has been designed, being formed by a main bearing structure, also known as "torsion box" or "support beam" on which is supported, in a lateral arrangement, a plurality of support arms for the parabolic mirrors, the 25 main bearing structure including two identical rectangular lattice grids, a top one and another bottom one, in a parallel and overlaying arrangement, linked together by four laterally-disposed mini-lattices, in twos at each end, and by a plurality of external lateral tie bars and internal diagonal tie bars. Emerging perpendicularly from the top part of the main bearing 30 structure is a plurality of supports for the absorbing tube, of an appropriate length to position it in the focus of the parabola formed by the parabolic mirrors mounted on the support arms.

8 The rectangular grids are formed by an external frame in which is distributed a plurality of cross members with the appropriate angle to optimize the torsional strength of the "torsion box". The main bearing structure is finished off, at both ends, by two end 5 plates that include the support points for legs anchored to the ground that give the collector assembly the necessary rotation axis. In the embodiment, the particular layout of the diagonal tie bars of the grids has been optimized to optimize their work under torsion. Furthermore the optimization of the lengths, dimensions, thicknesses, number and 0 distribution of the tubes and profiles used in the different lattices that form the collector has enabled the structure of the embodiment to be simplified and its weight to be reduced with the consequent reduction in the cost of materials without losing the characteristics of torsional strength. The support arms are formed by two perpendicular pieces fitted 5 with two strips and perforations for attachment to the main bearing structure, being linked together by a first slanting piece that goes from the lower part of the vertical piece, passing, approximately in its middle part, through the end of the horizontal piece, and in turn being supported by a second slanting piece that goes from approximately the coupling of the horizontal and vertical pieces up to 0 nearly the top end of the first slanting piece. Between the two slanting pieces, starting from near to the end of the horizontal piece, is a third slanting piece for reinforcement. The embodiment of the support structure for solar collector presented here, offers numerous advantages over the systems currently 25 available, the most important of these being the considerable reduction in the number of grids required in the construction of the torsion box, decreasing from the four units required by existing models to just two, whilst maintaining or even improving the properties of torsional stiffness and flexural stiffness that characterize said models. 30 It is noteworthy that the lengths, thicknesses, number and distribution of the elements and bars that form the different lattices of the main 9 bearing structure or "torsion box" have been notably optimized in the embodiment, permitting torsional stiffness and flexural stiffness properties to be obtained that equal or even improve upon the current state of the art, with a considerably lower weight and economic cost. 5 Another important advantage of the embodiment of this structure is its optimization in relation to mounting and installation thanks to the reduction in the weight of the structure and the standardization of the construction elements. As a result of the aforesaid, a further advantage of the embodiment is obtained in terms of the cost-effectiveness of transport, improvements in 0 mounting systems and reduction of materials, times and possibility of error, which obviously lead to a reduction in the economic cost of the collector, improving its economic return. It is particularly noteworthy that the two-grid structure embodiment has been designed to reduce manufacturing and transport costs and times as 5 well as on-site mounting times. Its design minimizes the number of parts that form it, also minimizing welds and rivets, whilst guaranteeing and even improving on physical properties such as torsional strength and flexural strength that characterize the existing designs and improving the optical properties of these. o Another important added advantage is that the reduction in the number of parts forming the structure facilitates its final assembly on site, resulting in greater on-site returns and, consequently, a reduction in costs. Lastly, it is also important to underline that the dimensional parameters of the tubes that form the arms that support the parabolic mirrors 25 have been optimized in the embodiment also achieving an important reduction in the weight and materials without detriment to their structural strength. Brief Description of the Drawings In order to better understand the present invention, a preferential practical embodiment of a support structure for solar collector has been 10 represented in the attached drawing. In said drawing, figure -1- shows a perspective view of said support structure. Figure -2- shows lateral and front views of the support structure. Figure -3- shows a perspective view of the main bearing structure. 5 Figure -4- shows a perspective view of one of the rectangular lattice grids. Figure -5- shows a perspective view of one of the end plates of the main bearing structure. Figure -6- shows a perspective view of one of the four lateral mini 0 lattices. Figure -7- shows a plan view of one of the rectangular lattice grids. Figure -8- shows front and rear views, with lateral details of the main bearing structure, detailing the end plates. Figure -9- shows some intermediate sections of the main bearing 5 structure, detailing the internal diagonal tie bars. Figure -10- shows front and profile views of a detail of one of the supports for the absorbing tube. Figure -11- shows front and top views of an intermediate detail of the support structure, depicting the support arms for the parabolic mirrors. 20 Figure -12- shows side and profile views of the longitudinal members of the main bearing structure. Figure -13- shows side and profile views of the tie bars. Figure -14- shows a perspective view of one of the support arms. Figure -15- shows a side view of one of the support arms. 25 The embodiment of the support structure for solar collector of an aspect of the present invention is basically formed, as can be seen in the 11 attached drawing, by a main bearing structure (1) on which a plurality of laterally arranged support arms (2) for the parabolic mirrors (3) are supported, the main bearing structure (1) comprising two identical rectangular lattice grids (4), a top one and another bottom one, in a parallel and overlaying 5 arrangement, linked together by four laterally disposed mini-lattices (5), in twos at each end, and by a plurality of external lateral tie bars (6) and internal diagonal tie bars (7) Emerging perpendicularly from the top part of the main bearing structure (1) is a plurality of supports (8) for the absorbing tube, of an 0 appropriate length to position it in the focus of the parabola formed by the parabolic mirrors (3) mounted on the support arms (2). The rectangular grids (4) are formed by an external frame (9) in which is distributed a plurality of cross members (10) with the appropriate angle to optimize the torsional strength of the grid. 5 Both the grids (4) and the external lateral tie bars (6) and internal diagonal tie bars (7) will preferably be made with "L"-section metal profiles. The main bearing structure (1) is finished off, at both ends, by two end plates (11,12) that include the support points for pillars, not depicted in the drawings, anchored to the ground, that give the collector assembly the 0 necessary rotation axis. The support arms (2) are formed by two perpendicular pieces, one horizontal piece (13) and another vertical piece (14) fitted with strips (15) and with perforations (16) for attachment to the main bearing structure, being linked together by a first slanting piece (17) that goes from the lower part of the 25 vertical piece (14) , passing, approximately in its middle part, through the end of the horizontal piece (13) , and in turn being supported by a second slanting piece (18) that goes from approximately the coupling of the horizontal piece (13) and vertical piece (14) up to nearly the top end of the first slanting piece (17). Between the two slanting pieces (17,18), starting from near to the end of 30 the horizontal piece (13) is a third slanting reinforcement piece (19).

12 All of the component pieces of the support arms (2), except for the attachment strips, are preferably made of rectangular section metal tube and are welded together. Coupling of the different elements of the structure, both the 5 coupling between the longitudinal members (9) and cross members (10) of the rectangular grids (4), as well as the coupling of the rectangular grids (4) with the mini-lattices (5), the lateral tie bars (6) or diagonal tie bars (7), the coupling with the end plates (11,12), the coupling of the supports (8) for the absorbing tube, or the coupling with the support arms (2) will be carried out using 0 conventional mechanical means, such as rivets, screws and nuts, or any combination of these. In a preferential embodiment, screws, washers and nuts will solely be used to attach the pillars to the anchor bolts, to attach the parabolic mirrors to the support structure and to attach the spring-plates of the supports (8) of 5 the absorbing tube to the main bearing structure (1), whilst the rest of the components of the support structure are factory-welded, or are assembled on site by means of rivets. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be 0 understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A support structure for a solar collector of a type used in 5 cylindrical parabolic collectors to support a cylindrical parabolic reflector and an absorbing tube, comprising: a main bearing structure, the main bearing structure further comprising two identical rectangular lattice grids; a plurality of laterally arranged support arms adapted to support a o plurality of parabolic mirrors, the support arms being supported on the main bearing structure; wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are arranged as a top rectangular lattice grid and a bottom rectangular lattice grid, in a parallel and overlaying arrangement; 5 wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are linked together by four laterally-disposed mini-lattices and by a plurality of external lateral tie bars and internal diagonal tie bars; and wherein the main bearing structure has, at both ends, by two end plates that include a plurality of support points for legs anchored to a ground 20 surface that give the solar collector the necessary rotation axis.

2. Support structure for solar collector according to claim 1, wherein the two rectangular grids are formed by an external frame in which is distributed a plurality of cross members with the appropriate angle to optimize the torsional 25 strength of the grid. 14

3. Support structure for solar collector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein both the grids and the external lateral tie bars and internal diagonal tie bars are made with "L" section metal profiles. 5

4. A support structure for a solar collector of the type used in cylindrical parabolic collectors to support a cylindrical parabolic reflector and an absorbing tube, comprising: a main bearing structure, the main bearing structure further comprising two identical rectangular lattice grids; 0 a plurality of laterally arranged support arms adapted to support a plurality of parabolic mirrors, the support arms being supported on the main bearing structure; wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are arranged as a top rectangular lattice grid and a bottom rectangular lattice grid, in a parallel 5 and overlaying arrangement, wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are linked together by four laterally-disposed mini-lattices, in twos at each end, and by a plurality of external lateral tie bars and internal diagonal tie bars; wherein the support arms are formed by two perpendicular pieces, 20 one horizontal piece and another vertical piece, fitted with strips and with perforations to attach them to the main bearing structure, being linked together by a first slanting piece that goes from the lower part of the vertical piece, passing, approximately in its middle part, through the end of the horizontal piece, and in turn being supported by a second slanting piece that goes from 25 approximately the coupling of the horizontal piece and vertical piece up to nearly the top end of the first slanting piece; and wherein, between the two slanting pieces, starting from near to the end of the horizontal piece, is a third slanting reinforcement piece. 15

5. A support structure for a solar collector of the type used in cylindrical parabolic collectors to support the cylindrical parabolic reflector and an absorbing tube, comprising: a main bearing structure, the main bearing structure further 5 comprising two identical rectangular lattice grids; a plurality of laterally arranged support arms adapted to support a plurality of parabolic mirrors, the support arms being supported on the main bearing structure; wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are arranged as a 0 top rectangular lattice grid and a bottom rectangular lattice grid, in a parallel and overlaying arrangement, wherein the two identical rectangular lattice grids are linked together by four laterally-disposed mini-lattices, in twos at each end, and by a plurality of external lateral tie bars and internal diagonal tie bars; wherein the support arms are formed by two perpendicular pieces, 5 one horizontal piece and another vertical piece, fitted with strips and with perforations to attach them to the main bearing structure, being linked together by a first slanting piece that goes from the lower part of the vertical piece, passing, approximately in its middle part, through the end of the horizontal piece, and in turn being supported by a second slanting piece that goes from 0 approximately the coupling of the horizontal piece and vertical piece up to nearly the top end of the first slanting piece; wherein, between the two slanting pieces, starting from near to the end of the horizontal piece, is a third slanting reinforcement piece; and wherein the component pieces of the support arms, except for the 25 attachment strips, are made of rectangular section metal tube and are welded together.

6. Support structure for solar collector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein emerging perpendicularly from the top part of the main 30 bearing structure there is a plurality of supports for the absorbing tube, of an 16 appropriate length to position it in the focus of a parabola formed by the parabolic mirrors mounted on the support arms.

7. Support structure for solar collector according to any one of 5 claims 1 to 3, or 6, wherein conventional mechanical means couple a plurality of longitudinal members and cross members of the rectangular grids, the rectangular grids with the mini-lattices, the lateral tie bars or diagonal tie bars, the end plates, the supports for the absorbing tube, or the support arms. o

8. A support structure for a solar collector of a type used in cylindrical parabolic collectors to support a cylindrical parabolic reflector and an absorbing tube, the support structure being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.